Why Should I Be Baptized First Principles Baptism

Why Should I Be Baptized? First Principles

Baptism alone does not save Baptism is an act of faith – 1 Peter 3: 21 One must believe to be properly baptized (not infant baptism) • We need the grace of God – Ephesians 2: 8 -9 Grace – God’s part in saving us •

Baptism alone does not save • • • There are other things we must do toward salvation Hear – Romans 10: 17 Believe – Mark 16: 16, Romans 10: 9 -10 Repent – Luke 13: 3 & 5, Acts 2: 37 -38, 17: 30 -31 Confess Him – Matthew 10: 32, Acts 8: 37, Romans 10: 9 -10

Why should I be baptized? • Because God said so! • Matthew 28: 18 -20 • Disciples are baptized and observe all things commanded • Many verses about baptism are written as commands • Matthew 7: 21 -23, Luke 6: 46, Hebrews 5: 9

Why should I be baptized? • Because God said so! • Romans 6: 3 -4 – explains what baptism does. It puts us in contact with the blood of Jesus - where salvation is found • God chose baptism as part of His plan – that ought to be enough reason!

Why should I be baptized? • Because God said so! • Why argue with God? Most do not have a problem with baptism itself, but it is WHY we are baptized. • I concur. Why we are baptized IS VERY important. • However, many DENY its real purpose and that is a problem

Why should I be baptized? • To be saved • Mark 16: 16 – he who believes and is baptized shall be saved… • 1 Peter 3: 20 -21, baptism saves us. It is not taking a bath, but “the answer of a good conscience” – believing God and a willingness to follow Him. This is our faith. • Also Acts 2: 38, 22: 16 – emphasize removing sins (which cause us to be lost)

Why should I be baptized? • To follow the example of Jesus • Matthew 3: 13 -16 – while not a sinner, Jesus asked to be baptized. Why? To fulfill all righteousness. This implies a command of God. Reason enough to obey. • Jesus obeyed, so should we – cf. Hebrews 5: 8 -9

Why should I be baptized? • To follow the example of first century believers • There is a consistent pattern in the New Testament (esp. Acts) that included baptism. • One way we establish authority is by approve example – those who DID what they were commanded to do.

Why should I be baptized? • To follow the example of first century believers • Acts 2: 37 -41 – Pentecost • Acts 8: 12 -13 – Samaritans, Simon the sorcerer • Acts 8: 35 -38 – the Ethiopian eunuch • Acts 10: 47 -48 – Cornelius (1 -2)

Why should I be baptized? • To follow the example of first century believers • Acts 16: 14 -15 – Lydia • Acts 16: 31 -34 – the jailer • Acts 18: 8 – the Corinthians • Acts 19: 4 -5 – some wrongly baptized • Paul – Acts 9: 18, 22: 16

Why should I be baptized? • To follow the example of first century believers • What about various examples that do not mention baptism? • There are NO examples that emphatically state they were not baptized. E. g. “All he did was believe”, “He only confessed Jesus as Lord”, etc.

Why should I be baptized? • To follow the example of first century believers • What about various examples that do not mention baptism? We DO find examples where belief included baptism (Acts 18: 9, 1 Corinthians 1: 14) Acts 16: 31 -33 – the jailer told to “believe on the Lord” and then he was taught Acts 8: 34 – Philip preached Jesus – implied is that it included baptism If baptism led to salvation in 1 st century, it STILL leads to our salvation • •

Why should I be baptized? • Because it puts us in contact with the blood of Jesus • His blood saves us – Hebrews 10: 10, Romans 3: 23 -25, 5: 9, Ephesians 1: 7, etc. • How do we come in contact with that blood? Romans 6: 3 -4

Why should I be baptized? • Because it puts us into Christ • Galatians 3: 27 – as many as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ • In baptism, we now belong to Christ. Part of His family with blessings and privileges Ephesians 1: 3, Romans 5: 1 -2 – access to the Father, Ephesians 2: 18

Why should I be baptized? • Because it puts us into the church • Ephesians 1: 22 -23 – the church is His body, Acts 2: 28 – purchased with His blood • In baptism, we are added to His body - 1 Corinthians 12: 12 -13 • This shows the importance of His church! Do we respond properly?

Why should I be baptized? • To be purified in God’s eyes • Psalm 24: 3 -4, we need to be pure to be in His presence • In spite of our brokenness, we need to be purified. • Jesus purifies us – Hebrews 9: 1314 – He cleanses our conscience • It is a blessing to know we are ok with God. • Also see Acts 2: 38, 22: 16 – wash

Have you been baptized for the right reason?